Lori Rebel, age 11, of Santa Maria, California for her question:
Exactly when did the Space Age begin?
On October 4, 1957 the planet earth learned that the Space Age actually had begun. Radio Moscow announced that its first satellite, Sputnik, had been successfully launched and was then orbiting the earth at a distance of about 900 kilometers. It was, of course, the first of many U.S. and Russian satellites to leave the earth and enter the realm of space. But naturally the first event was preceded by years of planning and it seems only fair to date it from the first idea.
The Space Age was born during the IGY, the International Geophysical Year that lasted from July 1, 1957 to December 31, 1958. Future historians may rate it as the greatest year of our times, though not because it was 18 months long. After years of planning, 60,000 scientists from 66 different nations teamed together to give our planet the most thorough physical examination possible. At thousands of stations from pole to pole, they researched and studied a multitude of topics concerning the earth in space.
One of IGY's most ambitious projects was to send a series of man made satellites into space to orbit around the earth. We can pinpoint the time and place when this great idea was first suggested and also name the man who dared to dream that it was possible. The place was Silver Springs, a suburb of Washington in Maryland. The time was in the evening of April 5, 1950. The man was James A. Van Allen, a scientist interested in the upper levels of the earth's atmosphere. This evening, he had. invited a group of colleagues to discuss their favorite topic.
Van Allen was in his mid thirties, while several of those present were considerably older and already world famous in their field. But everyone listened while the younger American outlined his fantastic plan for a project to explore beyond the limits . of the atmosphere into the realm of space. This friendly meeting of scientists let step by step to the great IGY project.
As the plans progressed, many diversified programs were added to the overall project. But James Van Allen remained in charge of America's research aloft. Russian scientists agreed that man made satellites were possible and the two countries planned to launch several during the IGY. We may say that the Space Age was proved possible when the first of these man made satellites was launched into orbit. But surely the birth of the Space Age can be dated from April 5, 1950, when James Van Allen convinced his colleagues that the great dream was possible.
After more than seven years of plans and preparation, it was the Russians who provided the first proof that man made craft can be launched into space. Their Sputnik was Up There, visible from most inhabited parts of our planet. Before sunrise and after sunset, it could be seen shining brightly in the sky. Others followed and step by step mankind ventured farther into space. In 1969 earthmen landed on the moon and our amazing Space Age has no end in sight.